Some Questions and Answers
(BEV stands for a Battery powered Electric Vehicle)
Q: Is a BEV cheaper to operate?
A: Yes, around 94% cheaper. Using 2011 prices to go 100 miles: $1.00 in an EV versus $17.50 at 20 mpg of gasoline. $16.50 saved / 17.50 spent = 94% saved. Additionally, they cost less to maintain because there are many fewer moving and wearing parts. Batteries will last five to ten years if properly charged. Battery cost has decreased 30% over the last three years. Some companies offer a ten-year warranty on their batteries.
Q: Why does a BEV cost more to purchase?
A: Production volume, but as demand for EVs increase, the cost of parts and manufacturing will decrease. Battery cost has decreased 30% over the last three years.
Q: Is a Gasoline-Hybrid a good idea?
A: Hybrids are better than all-gasoline because batteries are used for the first 20-40 miles. But a Hybrid is not as good as a BEV for the average owner. Currently, in order to go say three hundred miles without refueling, a vehicle must burn fossil fuel. It costs many thousands of dollars to purchase and maintain that capacity. Is it necessary? The average personal vehicle is driven only thirty-two miles per day. BEVs typically offer a range of 50-100 miles which is more than enough for work and errands. Using 2011 prices to go 100 miles: $1 in a BEV versus $9 in a Hybrid. $8 saved / 9 spent = 89% saved with a BEV.
Q: Is a BEV more reliable?
A: Yes. There are many fewer moving and wearing parts. Both have brakes, wipers, radio, air-conditioning, and heater - BUT - in an BEV, these six parts:
-electric motor and controller
-batteries and charger
-throttle potentiometer and shunt
replace these 86 parts of a gasoline-powered vehicle:
-engine block
-crankshaft
-bearings
-rods
-pistons
-rings
-cylinder heads
-valves
-seals
-lifters
-cams
-more bearings
-oil pump and lines
-oil & filter
-sprockets
-timing belt and tensioner
-gas tank and level sensor
-fuel pump and wiring and filters (2)
-charcoal canister
-front to back metal fuel lines (3)
-rubber fuel lines
-carburetor or fuel injectors
-air filter
-cold start valve
-sensors like AFM, MAF, TPS
-water pump
-coolant
-radiator and two hoses
-fan and wiring
-thermostat
-temperature sensor
-alternator
-crank sensor
-distributor
-spark plugs (4-8) and wires (4-8) ,
-starter motor & wire
-flywheel
-clutch parts (4),
-transmission & fluid and filter
-driveshaft and universal joints or CV joints (2)
-exhaust pipes (3)
-muffler & resonator
-catalytic converter
and emission testing!
Definitions
BEV: Battery powered Electric Vehicle
DOD: Depth OF Discharge
EV: Electric Vehicle
ICE: Internal Combustion Engine. [uses gasoline]
Li: Lithium. Lithium batteries are different from Li-ion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-ion#Cathodes
LiFe: Lithium-Iron
LiFePo: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery
ZEV: Zero Emission Vehicle PZEV: Partial Zero Emission Vehicle LEV: Low Emission Vehicle
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FAQs
How does an EV work?
Put simply, an accelerator pedal tells the Controller how much Battery power should go to an electric motor that turns the cars wheels.
What is a hybrid vehicle?
A BEV with ICE. Early hybrids used batteries for acceleration and ICE for cruising. Now they use batteries for the first 30 miles and then the ICE. Great for long trips but a very complex arrangement with high maintenance cost.
What batteries are used in a BEV?
A battery contains at least two materials that react with each other to produce electricity. They have a charge and discharge cycle.
Lead Acid can be 6V or 12V.
Lithium (Li) combinations. Laptop computer use Lithium and ___ but Lithium-Iron-Phos is better suited to vehicles. LiFEPo has twice the energy density of Lead-Acid so the same weight can go twice as far, or one=half the wt can go just as far.
How far will an EV go on a complete charge?
Typically 120 volts of Lead-Acid (10 batteries) will power a car for 40-50 miles. Those 10 batteries can weigh 700-1000 pounds. 120V of LiFePo batteries can weigh 800 pounds and power a car for 90-110 miles.
How long does charging take?
They charge up to 80% rather quickly, then take as long to reach 90%, and longer to reach 100%. Batteries will charge quicker if more voltage available. In the US the options are: 1. a regular 115V-15A outlet. 2. 115V-20A outlet. 3. 230V-30A (clothes dryer) outlet. 4. 460V-50A commercial outlet.
How many times can the batteries be recharged?
We shorten the life of batteries by draining or discharging them too much. It is ideal to recharge when DOD is down to 20%. Quality LiFePo batteries made in 2011 can be recharged 2000 times. This will typically be 7-10 yrs. Lead-acid batteries will last 3-8 yrs depending on quality.
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